Martha Alice Back Preston, 65, of Ashland, passed away Friday afternoon, March 9, 2012, in Community Hospice Care Center in Ashland with her loving family by her side following a brief illness.
She was born July 25, 1946, in Louisa, to Phoebe Ratliff Back of Ashland and the late David Harold Back.
She attended school in Fort Gay, W.Va., and was a 1964 graduate of Paul G. Blazer High School, a 1965 graduate of Ashland Beauty School and a 1976 graduate of Morehead State University. She served on the State Board of Cosmetology from 2001 to 2005. She was a Kentucky colonel, VICA adviser for 20 years, worked as an instructor for Continuing Education and was awarded all State Vocational Education Teacher of the Year. She was a proud mother and grandmother who enjoyed travel, reading, family get-togethers and working with ceramics. She touched many lives as an instructor at Ashland Vocational School. Her skill and love for the art of cosmetology will live on through the hands of thousands of cosmetologists throughout the tri-state area.
She retired after 27 years of service as senior instructor from the Ashland Vocational School.
She was proceded in death by a brother, Charles Douglas Back, in December 2011.
She is survived by her loving husband of 46 years, James Estill Preston of Ashland; a son, Sean Douglas Preston and wife Amanda Grace McClave Preston of Ashland; a daughter, Rebecca Lynn Preston Braden and husband Daryl Braden; a sister, Patricia Back Pope Ramey and husband Henry Elton Ramey of Ashland; four adoring grandchildren, James Christian Braden, Davin Bowen Braden, Keaira Alice LaRae Braden and Grace Anne Preston; and a host of loving nieces, nephews and cousins.
The funeral will be at noon Tuesday, March 13, 2012, at Steen Funeral Home-13th Street Chapel by Minister Norman Roberts. Entombment will follow in Ashland Cemetery Mausoleum.
Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, March 12, 2012, at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to Community Hospice Care Center, 2330 Pollard Road, Ashland, KY 41101.
Condolences may be sent to steenfuneralhomes.com.
